ECLIPSE OF THE SUN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19019, 15 November 1923, Page 13

ECLIPSE OF THE SUN.

GOOD PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN. A message from San Diego states that the moon totally eclipsed the sun at 12.67 on September 10 (states a message from the Exchange Telegraph Company to the Daily Telegraph). The eclipse lasted three minutes. It began at 12. As it progressed the darkness increased, and the temperature fell rapidly. At 12.30 fog appeared, causing a fear that there would be an obstruction of view, but it passed away. Thousands of watching people witnessed the phenomenon. When the eclipse reached totality the corona was plainly visible. Venus was almost directly above the sun, and was the only star or planet in sight. Seventeen aeroplanes laden with scientists flew to a height of nearly four miles photographing from various positions, while others photographed the spectacle from the ground. Professor S. A. Smithell declared that with startling suddenness a “prominence” of rose-coloured hydrogen gas burst out from one side of the sun during the eclipse. Professor F. H. Sears, who was in charge of the Myilson Expedition, made six exposures of the corona, and also the field of stars around the sun for the purpose of testing the Einstein theory. Everything in Mexico City was at a standstill during the eclipse, which reached its height at 3 o’clock, electric lights being necessary in the stores. The observatory at Tacubaya has reported that it was successful in procuring excellent pictures. The best photographs of the eclipse taken in Southern California are believed to be those obtained by Mr Worthington, of London. and Mr Burton, of Boston, who were at the head of the expedition to Santa Barbara. Weather conditions proved favourable, and Mr Worthington stales that he has secured four almost perfect negatives, which he believes will rank as the best, taken of a solar eclipse. The photographs taken at Torreon, Coahuila, of the eclipse by German scientists are entirely satisfactory. Dr LudencTorff, head of the expedition, said just at the most important time the clouds broke, and a perfect picture was taken. His party will remain for several weeks to continue observations. At Yerbaniz, Durango, observations were made by American scientists, headed by Dr Miller, and were very complete. Dr Miller said the skies were clear and 42 photographs were taken. Several thousand excursionists viewed the eclipse. A Mexico City message says that the National Observatory at Tacubaya reports having obtained excellent pictures of the eclipse.